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Bucharest walking tour ~ Old city center

UNION SQUARE ~ OLD CITY CENTER

Union Square

Bucur’s Fountain

“An incredible delightful show of water, fire, lights, holograms and great music from all genres and for all ages.This is probably the largest and most beautiful musical fountain in the world.Definitely a MUST SEE !”

It worth to climb the Mitropoly Hill dominating the Union Square to see the entire Patriarchal Ensemble. On the way to the old city center stop next to Dambovita River for a glimpse over the Palace of Justice.

OLD CITY CENTER

Enter in the atmosphere of bygone days visiting the historical center. If you liked Soho for sure you will like Lipscani area too as this is alike.

Spare an hour for shy steps inside the Old Princely Court

These are the ruins of Bucharest’s fortress built by redoubtable Prince Vlad Tepes (the Impaler) in 1459.

His reign was dominated by conflicts with Turks. So he had to permanently watch over and protect the southern boundary, Danube River. This forced him live with his family, nobility and soldiers in the fortified town on Dambovita banks. And thus Bucharest became its second capital and residence, after Targoviste. Later, traders and craftsmen built their houses around Princely Court. And nearby streets, named after their professions, appeared: Lipscani (from Leipzig merchants), Selari (Saddlers), Covaci (Ironsmiths), Blanari (Furriers)… Former princely residence keeps vestigies discovered during various archaeological excavations and multiple artifacts of former Bucharest citadel. Some underground galleries built here during Ottoman raids – reused and enlarged at next raids – are still pretty well preserved. Princely church is the oldest religious building in Bucharest preserved as it originally was.

Bordello

As the name says, it used to be a brothel.

Girls’ pictures still hang on the walls. What a story these old walls could tell… from luxury to lust they have seen it all: once house of queens and princes, then dwelling for thugs, thieves and prostitutes and later one of the greatest hotels of the 19th century in the city center. If you are in hurry just grab some refreshments. If you have more time and plan to spend the whole night here with your pals check the bar upstairs.

Chariot with beer restaurant

Start the morning with a coffee and the famous “papanasi” (traditional Romanian dessert) in a historical monument with a wonderful German architecture.

Here the largest wine cellar of the city was (77,000 l). This was the only restaurant that had a beer pipe directly from the beer factory. This was in the city, behind the present Parliament Palace. You know, the descendants of the original owner Mos Ghita (Oldman Ghitza) own the restaurant. Inside, close to the entrance, you can still see his small wooden statue. Useful souvenirs wearing the restaurant logo will make your friends back home wishing they have been here.

“We love it so much, that we had dinner there twice ! And we ordered the specialty Pork Knuckle. Both times, it was moist.” Ruth

The oldest bank of Romania: CEC Palace – National Savings Bank

Founded following a law issued by Prince Al. I. Cuza this is Romania’s oldest bank: National Savings Bank (nowadays CEC Bank).

In the 16th century here there was the St. John the New monastery. Renovated by Prince Constantin Brancoveanu during 1702-1703, and later deteriorated, the monastery was demolished in 1875. So in 1897, on place of its ruins and an adjoining inn, the building of a new bank headquarter started. King Carol I of Romania and Queen Elisabeta were present at the event. The French architect Paul Gottereau – graduate of Fine Art Superior National School in Paris – designed the palace in eclectic style. The Romanian architect Ion Socolescu supervised the construction entirely financed with the institution’s own funds.

The palace has specific elements of French architecture from late 19th century. The entrance features an arch supported by two pairs of columns in composite style. Decorated with gables and coats of arms, the four corners end in Renaissance domes. The construction impresses through the glass and metal dome. CEC Bank was the only bank operating in Romania before 1989 revolution. In 2009, this was the venue for the 60th birthday celebrations of Crown Princess Margareta of Romania. And in 2015, it was also the venue for the 25th anniversary of the celebration of Crown Princess Margareta’s charity.

Drinks and art at Linden Tree Inn

Two centuries ago inns were giant wood structures serving as merchandise warehouses and shelters for travelers.

Later, almost all had a large yard in the middle, surrounded by thick tall defensive walls. Old Princely Court, Manuc, Gabroveni and Linden Tree Inns still preserve those times picturesque atmosphere. And they are some of the best representatives of traditional Romanian architecture.

Among capitals’s most interesting attractions

Both on Lipscani and Blanari Streets you can notice 2 vaulted entrances with majestic ornate gates of forged iron. The one from Blanari Street still have on the original “seal” of first owners (A.P. & S.P.). A peaceful world lies inside the rectangular patio (Spanish inner courtyard) formerly paved with rolling stone. The very solid structure has thick brick walls. This is Linden Tree Inn, one of the most beautiful and authentic images of Bucharest inn. This is the only historical inn in the city that has preserved its original architecture exactly as it was. Plus it provides a good example of typical Wallachian glass-covered upper floor.

In 1833 merchants Anastasie Polizu and Stefan Popovici built Nastase’s Inn. Later, its name changed after the fragrant trees from the inner courtyard. Under the shops located on patio’s both sides there were deep vaulted cellars. Iron shutters, doubled by embellished beams, closed the tall windows. Two years later the 2 business partners split and in 1837, in debts, Popovici sells his part of the inn. Back in those times, some of the city’s important merchants had their headquarters within this inn. One of them was Constantin Atanasiu, founder of the famous store At the Sea Eagle with the Fish in Claws. If you wish to see it take the glass elevator of Cocor Store.

Enjoy a drink flanked by paintings exhibited in open air

Today the former inn is home to a cellar bar-restaurant and many art galleries.

Sometimes you’ll hear a beat of Waltz as coming from far away. Looking up you will notice a little window open at the upper floor. It belongs to the largest art gallery in Romania. This is sheltered within several of the inn salons: Louis XV and Louis XVI, Louise-Phillipe and Rococo. You can buy or just show your admiration for ancient pieces exhibited here. They have wood panels, tapestry, paintings and icons, furniture and carpets. You will also find gramophones, clocks and cameras, albums, documents and photos, decorations, coins or even old little cars.